THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Mark McClellan and I have just heard from folks who
have been analyzing and/or helping people analyze the current Medicare drug
benefit and current Medicare -- modernized Medicare program.

Awhile ago I worked with the Congress to modernize and strengthen Medicare
for our seniors. And the reason we did, because if the government commits
to health care for our seniors it ought to be a program that does the
following things: One, provide modern medicine; and two, give seniors a
variety of options from which to match their needs to that which is
available.

We fully recognize that for some seniors, that this is a daunting task.
When you give people choice and options, it is -- it can be a situation
where people say, I don't really -- this is something I may not want to do.
And so I want to assure the seniors the following things: One, the
Medicare -- the new Medicare plan is voluntary, it's optional; two, that
there are people around who are willing to help explain the program for you
and to you. There's -- when you have choices to make, there's going to be
some -- you do have choices to make -- and somebody will be able to sit
down with you and explain why this program is good.

For example, Eloise is talking about the fact that she's spending a lot on
prescription drugs, and under the new Medicare plan, she's able to choose a
program that will substantially reduce the cost of her prescription drugs.
Low-income seniors will get substantial help. People will be able to match
a program to their specific needs.

And what we want to assure seniors around the country is that there is
help. You can call 1-800-Medicare. You can get on the Internet with
Medicare.gov. Ask your son or daughter, ask people in your church, ask
people in AARP, ask people in your community center to help you look at
what's available for you. It's a good deal. It's a good deal for our
seniors.

And so one of the reasons we have come today is to encourage people to see
what is available in the new law. Enrollment began in mid-November; the
program will begin in January of this year. We urge you to look at the
options available to you and sign up by May of next year.

This is government that has recognized it has a responsibility to help our
seniors. And the bill I was fortunate enough to sign into law does just
that.

Again, I want to thank you all for joining us. I want to thank you for
your hard work, Charlotte. Ellen DeMucci is a pharmacist. One of the
interesting groups that are reaching out to our seniors are those who are
behind the counter. Ellen and her fellow pharmacists interface with
seniors on a daily basis. They know the needs of seniors. They, in many
cases, have analyzed what's available for our seniors. They're available
to help seniors fill out the forms. She has worked with Eloise.

Again, I urge our fellow citizens to help our seniors realize what's
available in this wonderful program. And I finally want to thank Senator
Allen and Congressman Davis for joining us, as well. They're interested in
this program, they're interested in the people of Virginia, and they want
to make sure the seniors of Virginia get all the options available for them
to choose from.